The executive director of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre says it is time for policy-makers to step away from the past collegial supervision of cable/satellite companies and deliver a framework that is responsive to consumer needs.

The Conservative government insists the Globalive decision was a "one-off", and does not a change the policy restricting foreign-controlled companies from entering Canada's telecommunications industry.

The Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations says returning community broadcasting back to the community is a cost-effective way to both support and increase local programming content.

Columnist says the public is desperate for a technology that will do for television what iTunes and the iPod have done for music and movies: enable "content-providers" to charge viewers for what they choose to watch.

Industry observers say that "nonsimultaneous substitution" - removing the restriction that U.S. shows have to aired be at same time and date - would give broadcasters increased flexibility and revenue.

The Canadian Film and Television Production Association is urging Industry Minister Tony Clement to be "vigilant" and "not submit to the current pressures being exerted" in his review of Globalive Wireless.

The National Executive Director of Canada's actors union asks the Minister of Industry to uphold the current Canadian ownership and control requirements in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors.

A Nanos Research research study shows about 70% of respondents support the statement: 'local TV stations should receive a portion of the amount that customers pay on their monthly bill for cable or satellite TV'.

Article says employees that are owed severance pay are often unsecured creditors, low on priority list when a company starts repaying its debts, far below bondholders and other corporate organizations.

The Government has issued an Order-in-Council requesting the CRTC "hold hearings and provide the government with a report on the implications of implementing a compensation regime for the value of local television signals."

Rupert Murdoch's Sky Italia paybox has filed a lawsuit against Mediaset, the Italian broadcast group controlled by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, in a move that escalates the war between the two moguls over the local TV market.

Rogers asks the CRTC to put the foreign ownership and control structure of DAVE Wireless, and Public Mobile Holdings under the same scrutiny that a third new entrant, Globalive Holdings, is already undergoing.

FRIENDS says CBC's senior programming brass has a plan to move the public broadcaster's flagship nightly news program The National from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. to make room for prime-time entertainment programming.

Heritage Minister James Moore has announced an increase in the Canada Music Fund, the federal government's main fund to support the music industry, but changes are coming in the way the fund distributes its money.

CBC/Radio-Canada media relations officer says Canadians pay less than 10 cents a day for an accountable, national public broadcaster that provides first-rate local programming to communities across the country.

Columnist says Golf Channel and CBS combined for a grand total of 12 hours of coverage
during the tournament, about 10 fewer than CTV and TSN provided the
previous time Canadian television was at the controls.

In an attempt to produce more popular movies, Telefilm Canada has
struck a deal with the Canadian Film Centre and Montreal's Just for
Laughs comedy festival to develop five original, feature-length
comedies that would be ready for the cameras by 2011-12.

The CBC has cancelled the award-winning documentary TV program The
Lens, a move some in Canada's production community are calling "tragic"
because it means one fewer port of call for independent documentary
producers.

CTV Inc. says it has found a private investment firm to buy its station in Brandon, Man., for $1. CTV announced yesterday that Bluepoint Investment Corp. will pick up the station as part of a deal expected to close by Dec. 31.

Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX:CJR.B) says its radio stations are facing a worst case scenario as the weak economy continues to rip into its advertising revenues, causing the value of its radio assets to decline.

Columnist explores if it a slap in the face to the Canadian movie industry that CanCon is not on guest list for TIFF gala opener? Or is it a welcome sign the Toronto International Film Festival has
grown out of the flag-waving parochialism that sometimes made visitors
from New York and L.A. roll their eyes?

The CBC's top official in the North says the Yukon government's move to extend the CBC's lease for its AM transmitter in Whitehorse does not necessarily mean the broadcaster will scrap plans to switch from AM to FM.

Columnist says since the debut of broadcast television in this country more than 50
years ago, millions of Canadians have grown to expect free access to
local television signals. Last week, Canada's broadcast regulator issued a decision that will
bring the era of free local television to an end for many Canadians.

Columnist says CanWest Global Communications, which is in the midst of a painful
recapitalization and continues to trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange, shares no longer had any value, should not be purchased and should really be delisted

CanWest Global Communications Corp. (CGS-T) said Friday a goodwill
impairment charge in its publishing operation led to widened losses in
its third quarter, adding to mounting financial woes at the
Winnipeg-based media conglomerate.

CanWest Global Communications Corp. (CGS-T0.07----%) said Friday a
goodwill impairment charge in its publishing operation led to widened
losses in its third quarter, adding to mounting financial woes at the
Winnipeg-based media conglomerate.

Conventional television's recent "difficult period" can be blamed on
the loss of advertising market share to specialty television, according
to a recent Statistics Canada report on the television sector.

Columnist reports The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has
slapped down a request from Rogers Broadcasting that its CITY-TV
stations in Toronto and Vancouver no longer be mandated to air 100
hours of Canadian films a year in prime time.

CTV is staying in Windsor for at least another year. The network
confirmed on Wednesday that it will keep the lights on at CHWI, one of
the three stations it planned to close at the end of this summer when
its licence ran out.

Broadcasters should make “meaningful commitments” to Canadian content, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has re-stated in its decision to reject a request from Rogers Broadcasting to reduce requirements for airing Canadian content.

A Canadian Citizen says CBC’s funding has been reduced by every government since Brian
Mulroney’s — both Conservative and Liberal. All federal governments, it
seems, dislike the CBC and have found it an easy target. That means
it’s up to ordinary Canadians to speak up for the CBC.

Columnist say Canada's largest Internet providers are having a chilling effect on
independent filmmakers by slowing down certain Internet technologies
that enable producers to distribute movies and other programming
online, federal regulators heard Wednesday.

Columnist says the long battle between conventional-television broadcasters
and the digital TV providers who carry their content swung in favour of
the former Monday after federal regulators -- for the first time --
suggested that cable and satellite providers such as Rogers
Communications Inc. should pay for the content.

Columnist says television broadcasters have won concessions from Ottawa that will help
pay for programming, in a move that escalates their long-running battle
with the cable and satellite companies that carry their signals.

Canada's conventional television broadcasters praised a ruling Monday
that they say takes an important step towards fairly compensating them
for their programming while boosting funding for local shows.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission today
announced that the Local Programming Improvement Fund will have over
$100 million to distribute during the 2009–2010 broadcast year.

The Commission today launched a public proceeding to develop a new
regulatory framework for conventional television broadcasters. The
proceeding will include a public hearing starting on September 29,
2009, in Gatineau, Que.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
today announced that the Local Programming Improvement Fund will have
over $100 million to distribute during the 2009–2010 broadcast year.

Canada's broadcast regulator has opened the doors to fee-for-carriage, increased the size of a yet-to-launch local TV fund, and harmonized the amount of local programming the English-language networks have to broadcast.

With advertising dollars evaporating amid the recession and the migration of viewers to online and specialty channels gathering pace, smaller conventional television stations are fighting for their lives, their parent networks say. Monday, they'll look to federal broadcasting regulators in Ottawa for help.

Columnist discusses if Shaw Communication backed out of a May offer to buy three of its
stations -- CKX in Brandon, MB, and Ontario stations CKNX in Wingham
and CHWI near Windsor -- for $1 each was a publicity stunt or a serious deal gone sour

Friends of Canadian Broadcasting's latest report on TV programming
content across 10 Canadian markets, released this week, found that CBC
English TV's primetime Canadian content has reached a 20-year low, with
25% of the pubcaster's primetime schedule made up of foreign, mostly
U.S., programming.

Money-troubled Canwest Global Communications Corp. said Tuesday it is
selling two conventional television stations in Montreal and Hamilton
to an affiliate of Channel Zero Inc., an independent Canadian
television broadcaster.

Now that 250 CBC employees have been laid off and 300 more have agreed to retire early, the public broadcaster is turning its sights on potential real estate sales that could draw in more badly needed cash, company president Hubert Lacroix said today.

Canadian content during prime time on CBC English TV has reached a
20-year low, according to new research about what's on TV released this
morning by the watchdog group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.

CRTC has a big day coming up on Monday. Not only is the network management hearing beginning that day, the Regulator is also launching a new proceeding seeking structural reform of the TV sector while releasing new rules (and potentially a new amount) for its yet-to-be-launched Local Programming Improvement Fund.

Canadian content during prime time on CBC English TV has reached a 20-year low, according to new research about what's on TV released this morning by the watchdog group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.

Rita Cugini spoke at a meeting held by RTNDA Canada on concerns about the loss of local programming as a CRTC official set the stage for crucial upcoming decisions by the federal regulator that will impact the future of conventional Canadian television.

The bargaining committee that represents the 480 union workers at The
Globe and Mail newspaper recommended Friday that members reject the
company's latest offer, raising the odds that the 165-year-old
newspaper is headed for a work stoppage as of June 30.

Columnist says "it’s a very strange time to live in, to hear the Conservatives talk
about institutional heritage, such as a public broadcasting system that
drains over a billion of taxpayer dollars every year."

Canadian government says, until the end of the 1960s, Canada did not have a bona fide feature film industry. The National Film Board (NFB), created in 1939, was for many years the primary source of films designed to interpret Canada to Canadians and to other nations.

Columnist says a few months from now, an upstart music channel will make its debut on
cable television in more than one million Canadian homes and, in doing
so, Aux TV will carve out a place for itself in broadcasting history.

Irish broadcaster Setanta Sports filed for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, saying it will shortly cease broadcasting to customers in Britain after failing to make a number of payments to football organizations.

Globe and Mail news and sales employees on Saturday voted 97 per cent in favour of authorizing their bargaining committee to call a strike unless the company comes up with a better deal to replace their expiring contract.

"The Liberal Party supports the principles of net neutrality and an
open and competitive Internet environment," Liberal Industry, Science
and Technology Critic Marc Garneau said during yesterday's Question
Period.

After dominating the three months worth of hearings earlier this Spring, the House of Commons committee on Canadian Heritage left out any recommendation on the controversial issue of fee for carriage in its report on the state of local television released Friday.

The Canadian Press has learned that a unanimous report by the House of Commons heritage committee, to be tabled tomorrow, makes no recommendation about whether broadcasters should be able to charge cable companies for carrying their signals, referred to as "fee for carriage."

Breaking news from the CBC: It is no longer a TV network but a "content provider." This, according to the CBC's Richard Stursberg who was a keynote speaker at Tuesday afternoon's Canadian Telecom Summit in Toronto.

Columnist says the cash-strapped U.S. TV networks looking north for dramas as there are obvious benefits (for Canadian networks) for a show to be broadcast simultaneously on Canadian and American prime time.

Television stations across the United States are now expected to be broadcasting solely in digital form, bringing an end to the analog signals that have delivered TV shows to viewers for the better part of a century.

The CRTC will stay away from new media for at least another five years, but has sided with the NFB in calling for a broader, national strategy to keep Canada competitive in the global, digital marketplace.

Documents show Ottawa has flagged several Crown corporations, including the CBC, as "not self-sustaining," and has identified them as entities that could be sold as part of the government's asset review.

According to a poll commissioned by broadcast industry watchdog Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, most Canadians believe that the CBC is "being starved of funds by a government with a vendetta against it".

The majority of Canadians say the Conservative government is "hostile to the CBC and would like to diminish public broadcasting in Canada," according to a new poll from the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.

A group of private citizens is launching a movement to mobilize public support to counter moves being made by Stephen Harper's Conservative government following its decision to abandon much of its support for Radio-Canada.

Columnist says Canadian television networks may get the right to pull their feed from cable and satellite services, and possibly black out shows on U.S. channels, if the broadcasters can't reach a deal with distributors on compensation for their signals.

A new Pollara study commissioned by FRIENDS shows nearly two thirds of respondents believe that Stephen Harper and his government are hostile to the CBC, and that half of them feel he "has a hidden agenda that favours private corporate broadcasters."

The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council has ruled that CTV violated provisions of the Code of Journalistic Ethics in its airing of an interview with Stéphane Dion during the October 2008 federal election campaign.

The chairman of the CRTC says he simply misspoke when he suggested to heritage committee members that the broadcast regulator wasn't allowing broadcasters to charge cable companies a fee for carrying their signals because the broadcasters weren't going to direct the money they received to local programming.

CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein tells parliamentarians, rather than regulating a new, set, fee-for-carriage, it would be better to have distributors and broadcasters get together and come up with their own payment plan.

The country's largest cable and satellite TV operators have filed a formal complaint with communications authorities alleging CTVglobemedia "Save Local TV" advertising campaign has violated the Broadcasting Act.

The CRTC has indicated the revenue could be generated through a "negotiation" between the conventional broadcasters and cable and satellite operators -- as opposed to a carriage fee the regulator would impose.

In a note to staff, Hubert Lacroix says the government has asked the public broadcaster to evaluate all program and spending activities and identify the lowest priorities in terms of carrying out CBC's mandate.

Columnist says that in 2007, the NHL leveraged the CBC and newly appointed Executive Vice-President of English Services, Richard Stursberg into giving up too much for little gain to keep the Hockey Night In Canada franchise.

Outgoing CEO Rob Prichard faced a barrage of questions at Torstar's AGM about his $9.6-million severance package – which comes amid layoffs and a stock price that has lost more than 80 per cent from its peak.

Jim Shaw has sent a letter to CTV formalizing his offer to buy three of the network's struggling small-market stations for $1 each, but the letter suggests certain adjustments might be necessary to complete the deal.

Columnist says the CRTC is trying to get CTVglobemedia and Canwest to commit to not closing money-losing stations in exchange for new financial concessions, but has failed to win the necessary assurances.

Heritage Minister James appears before the House of Commons Heritage Committee and fails to persuade opposition MPs and Friends' spokesperson regarding the government's commitment to public broadcasting.

Apr 29, 2009 — House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage

Columnists says the debate about the financial future of Canada's television industry has come down to a key point - whether the country's big networks, such as CTV and Global, should have the same funding model as specialty channels.

Executives at CTVglobemedia say that the federal government might have to step in to ensure households have universal access to TV signal starting September of 2011, when the switch to digital TV occurs.

CBC's president and CEO has renewed calls for a memorandum of understanding with Canadians that would ensure stable, long-term public funding for the CBC in exchange for delivering agreed-upon programming and services.

The vice-chairman of Rogers Communications says the fee-for-carriage conventional broadcasters are pushing for is nothing more than a "tax on consumers," with the funds raised to be used on acquiring U.S. programming.

Article says two key flaws in Telefilm's Corporate Plan are that it enshrines a bias toward broadcaster interests at the expense of independent producers, and fails to support the growth of broadcaster-independent new media creation.

Canada's privacy commissioner has opened an online discussion on a technology that allows internet service providers to intercept and examine packets of information as they are being sent over the internet.

Canwest Broadcasting interim president Peter Viner told says while there has been interest in the company's E!-branded TV stations, it will wait until after this summer to decide what it will do with them.

CBC English Services plans to cut up to 80 positions from its news division and 313 from sports, entertainment, current affairs, sales and support as part of its efforts to make up a $171-million shortfall.

CBC President says if the public broadcaster can't sell off $125 million in assets, CBC management "will have to consider taking drastic action that would compromise the very services we deliver to Canadians".

A spokesman for the federal heritage department has confirmed that the government has drawn up plans for regulatory and tax changes to help private broadcasters deal with a growing TV ad revenue shortfall.

Columnist says the Asper family and Stephen Harper have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship and is therefore not surprising that the Conservative government will pull whatever levers it can to ensure the Aspers retain control over Canwest.

A Canadian Press Harris-Decima survey found that half of respondents were in favour of the Conservative government providing bridge financing to the public broadcaster, while 41 per cent opposed the idea.

Columnist says CBC's "popularization" strategy has alienated core audiences, and exchanged them for audiences for whom CBC is just one choice among many, and therefore not worth fighting for in difficult times.

Critics of a proposed integrated media fund say that a condition for multi-platform distribution will mean innovative new media projects likely won't qualify for funding, since they are too edgy for TV.

The Heritage Minister says the emphasis of the government's new broadcast policy will be on drama, comedy, and children's programming, and will favour productions developed for distribution platforms other than prime-time television.

In an excerpt from his book, the former vice-president of the National Citizens Coalition says Stephen Harper was appointed to the organization's top job in 1997 because he fit the criteria of viewing the CBC as a "socialist-run boondoggle".

The national coordinator for the Campaign for Democratic Media says the current financial problems in the news business is caused by highly concentrated media ownership and a deepening bottom-line mentality of Big Media corporations.

The Canadian Film and Television Producers Association has warned members with CanWest Global contracts to seek legal advice to protect their interests amid rumors that the broadcaster could be on the brink of filing for bankruptcy protection.

Columnist says a move by Torstar to slash the value of its investment in media rival CTVglobemedia suggests that CTVglobemedia has had to write down the value of its conventional television assets by more than $1.5-billion.

CBC president says he is considering introducing more American programming into television schedules, downgrading or selling parts of TV or radio services, increasing on-air advertising, or closing local stations.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister says "The CBC cannot be insulated from all market realities." after executives at the public broadcaster floated the idea of a bridge loan to cover a sharp drop in ad revenue.

CBC spokesman Jeff Keay says the public broadcaster wants Ottawa to provide immediate relief for a budgetary shortfall expected in 2009-2010 but he dismissed suggestions that bridge financing would amount to a handout.

Former New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord, on behalf of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, says the 2007 CRTC decision to exempt mobile content from broadcasting regulation should be upheld.

Richard Stursberg, CBC's Executive Vice-President, English Services, says advertising revenue has fallen "off a cliff," and the CBC is considering asking the government for bridge financing to weather the recession.

The CRTC chair says the commission is inclined to introduce a condition of license for English-language broadcasters requiring a 1-to-1 ratio between Canadian and non-Canadian programming expenditures.

While the call for new media regulation "doesn't mean the CRTC should regulate videos of kids or singing dogs on YouTube," says actor Colin Mochrie, inaction could mean "our stories will get lost and our culture will drown in a sea of non-Canadian content."

New study shows radio reaches 90% of Canadian adults over 18 years of age every week, and 56% of them listen to the radio seven days a week, particularly business executives, parents and affluent Canadians.

Data show Canada's national conventional TV networks, including CTV, Global, CITY-TV, and French broadcasters such as TVA, saw their biggest-ever drop on a percentage basis in profits before income tax.

The tightening cash squeeze has forced CanWest to put its secondary television network, E!, up for sale, but the company says the stations may be shut down if a buyer can't be found in the next two months.

Quebec artists are furious about a $25-million grant in the federal budget they say will reward two businessmen from Toronto to stage an international competition, while it leaves local professionals on the verge of bankruptcy.

Article profiles a new $25 million venture called the Canada Prizes for Arts and Creativity, which plans to offer four annual awards of about $100,000 to emerging artists in theatre, dance, music and visual arts.

Columnist says a timeslot shuffle make it look like CBC-TV is hiding its "public" broadcasting face in order to give a desperate boost to programming that is undistinguishable from "commercial" TV fare.

The national executive director of ACTRA says by not making a significant investment in Canada's cultural industry, the Conservatives passed on an opportunity to create thousands of well-paying, creative, skilled jobs and in turn stimulate the Canadian economy.

The British government has outlined plans to bring broadband Internet service to every home in Britain by 2012, and proposed ways to support the music industry and other media businesses by cracking down on online piracy.

National Association of Broadcasters executive says that while Internet users experienced glitches and spotty online coverage of the Obama inauguration, TV broadcast coverage was live, clear and reliable.

Canada's largest media union says the CRTC should demand that broadcasters who are threatening to shut down service in small Canadian communities return their licences now, and give others the chance to run them.

Columnist says CTV and Canwest are considering shutting down smaller stations across the country, fearing that some local markets may never again be profitable in a TV industry where dollars are increasingly migrating to cable.

Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore is preaching sustained cultural funding, saying the CBC's budget is safe and the Conservatives intend to deliver on their election promises despite the financial downturn.

TV stations in 22 U.S. cities have announced that they will start broadcasting signals in a format designed to be received by mobile devices like cell phones, MP3 players, GPS units and in-car entertainment systems.